Government-Politics Archives

Central Oregon unemployment rates 12-2024

Central Oregon jobless rates hold steady as 2024 comes to a close; employment levels rose over the year

January 28, 2025 10:39 am Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Central Oregon’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rates continued to hold steady in December, showing little to no change across the region, the Oregon Employment Department reported Tuesday. Total nonfarm employment increased year-over-year in all three counties. Here’s the full December report: Crook County: The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate decreased marginally over the

Crook County School Board OKs $265K Melissa Skinner departure agreement, appoints panel to review board applicants

January 27, 2025 6:41 pm Barney Lerten

PRINEVILLE, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Crook County School Board voted 3-0 at a special meeting Monday evening to enter into a separation agreement the district had negotiated with departing superintendent Dr, Melissa Skinner. The $265,000 agreement basically provides 12 months of salary and benefits. District staff said Skinner has not yet signed the agreement but

Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson signs executive order in preparation for potential ‘mass deportations’

January 27, 2025 6:22 pm Barney Lerten

By Helen Smith, KING-5 SEATTLE (KING/KTVZ) — Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson is preparing for potential family separations amid the fallout of President Donald Trump’s sweeping immigration enforcement, KING-5 TV reported. Ferguson signed an executive order on Monday that creates a rapid response team intended to support children who are separated from their parents or caregivers,

Problem Solvers: NE Redmond intersection at the center of community conversation on speed and safety

January 27, 2025 11:54 am KTVZ

Neighbors who live near the intersection of Northeast Maple Avenue and 5th Street in Redmond are demanding the city take action, citing the dangers traffic poses for pedestrians

Oregon DEQ issues air quality advisory for La Pine, several areas of state due to stagnant air conditions

January 27, 2025 3:38 pm Barney Lerten

PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality issued an air quality advisory for Eastern Lane, Eastern Linn, Eastern Marion, Northern Josephine counties, as well as La Pine due to stagnant air conditions trapping smoke and other air pollutants near the ground where people breathe. DEQ said in a news release that it

Tax-filing season begins: Oregon Department of Revenue has tips on how to avoid common errors, refund delays

January 27, 2025 12:37 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — As the IRS and the state begin accepting tax year 2024 returns Monday, the Oregon Department of Revenue is offering taxpayers a list of suggestions to aid in efficiently processing their return and common errors to avoid that could slow things down and delay their refund. Here’s their full news release

‘We’re all happy to be here’: C.O. first responders, supporters donate blood for the Battle of the Badges

January 27, 2025 10:07 am KTVZ

Donors from around Central Oregon rolled up their sleeves for the American Red Cross on Monday, taking part in the Battle of the Badges Blood Drive at the Bend Police Department.

Bend Park & Rec’s recreation needs survey will land in 5,000 mailboxes soon

January 23, 2025 4:21 pm Jillian Fortner

(update: adding video, comments from Julie Brown) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Bend Park and Recreation District is seeking to better understand residents’ desires for organized recreation programs and services. A community-wide survey will help the district to align recreation programs and services with the community’s priorities. A statistically valid survey is being distributed to 5,000

Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden

Like most Democrats, Oregon senators oppose most of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees – but not all

January 24, 2025 6:15 pm Harley Coldiron

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — With a Republican majority in the Senate, most of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees are expected to sail through. And though Oregon’s two Democratic senators have concerns over some nominees’ qualifications, there are a few they plan to support. At a nominee hearing for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senator Ron Wyden blasted

Redmond City Council seeks public input on proposal to test microshelters at Safe Parking locations

January 24, 2025 5:55 pm Barney Lerten

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday evening to consider allowing a limited number of microshelters at managed Safe Parking Program sites in the city. A news release issued Friday said councilors are seeking public comment on Mountain View Community Development’s request to pilot the use of microshelters

Merkley, Wyden announce feds’ $15 million reimbursement to ODOT for natural disaster repairs

January 24, 2025 5:41 pm Barney Lerten

WASHINGTON (KTVZ) — Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden, D-Ore., announced Friday that the Federal Highway Administration is sending over $15 million to reimburse the Oregon Department of Transportation for their vital repairs to roads and other critical infrastructure that were deeply damaged during several years of severe weather events. Here’s the full news release: “Oregonians in every

You can donate blood for American Red Cross at Battle of the Badges

January 24, 2025 3:21 pm Jillian Fortner

(Update: adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — First responders are urging you to roll up your sleeves and donate blood at Battle of the Badges next Monday. This quarterly competition pits Bend Fire, Bend Police, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, and DCSO Search and Rescue against each other to see who can collect the most

Problem Solvers: Claims of mishandled documents, conflicts of interest by La Pine Parks & Rec Board members

January 23, 2025 11:59 am Matthew Draxton

KTVZ News’ Problem Solvers Team investigated alleged misconduct by the newly appointed board members of La Pine Parks and Recreation District and an apparent lack of transparency. Other community members have even pointed to possible conflicts of interest.

Amid dry spell and windy forecast, Oregon Dept. of Forestry reminds property owners to monitor their burn piles

January 24, 2025 3:14 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ)– Due to the recent extended drying pattern and east winds in the forecast this weekend, the Oregon Department of Forestry is encouraging anyone who may have completed a debris or slash burn in the past few months to monitor and patrol the burn site. Embers can smolder beneath the surface, even in

Checking Powerball ticket Oregon Lottery

Beaverton’s $328.5 million Powerball winner comes forward; winning ticket was sold at Fred Meyer

January 24, 2025 2:37 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The ticket matching all six Powerball numbers in last Saturday’s $328.5 million Powerball jackpot was sold at the Fred Meyer store on SW Walker Road in Beaverton. The store will receive a bonus of $100,000 for selling the jackpot winner, Oregon Lottery officials say. In celebration of this stroke of good luck, Fred

Washington County cat tests positive for avian influenza H5N1; ODA has tips on how to protect your cat

January 24, 2025 1:52 pm Barney Lerten

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — A cat in Washington County recently tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian influenza (HPAI, more specifically avian influenza type A H5N1), the Oregon Department of Agriculture said Friday. The outdoor cat with a history of exposure to wild waterfowl (ducks & geese) was examined by a veterinarian after exhibiting symptoms, including

Six Oregon Department of Forestry strike teams return home from fighting S. California wildfires

January 24, 2025 10:49 am KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) – The Oregon Department of Forestry is welcoming back 70 firefighters on six strike teams who have been assigned to the fires in California’s Los Angeles County for the past two weeks. While in California, the strike teams were split between the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire. “We’re happy to help

Oregon State Police investigating fatal officer-involved shooting in Salem

January 23, 2025 6:11 pm KTVZ News Partners

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon State Police is investigating an officer-involved shooting that occurred Wednesday in Salem. Around 11:30 a.m., Salem Police officers were pursuing a wanted suspect near River Road and Gardenia Drive in Salem. The suspect, Shawn Lee Baker, 42,, fled into an apartment complex near the 3200 block of River Road North and

Bend anti-trafficking group founder claims he’s the prankster behind the mysterious googly eyes on city’s roundabout art

January 23, 2025 2:05 pm Barney Lerten

(Update: Adding video) BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The founder of a Bend nonprofit that fights to prevent human trafficking revealed Thursday that he’s the person behind the “googly eyes” affixed to numerous pieces of roundabout art in recent months, a prank that drew international attention. Jeff Keith was not immediately available for an interview. Here’s

Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office seeks owner of black billy goat found in La Pine

January 23, 2025 4:58 pm Barney Lerten

La PINE, Ore. (KTVZ) – Attention, La Pine-area residents: Missing a black billy goat? The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office likely has it. The sheriff’s office said in a Facebook posting Thursday afternoon that the goat was picked up earlier in the day in the area of Lechner Lane. “If this Billy belongs to you,” they

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